SFM Cloth Dolls with Attitude! NZ

Monday, November 20, 2017

Funny how the different phases of the moon affect our hormones and moods!

With the new moon comes inspiration and bright ideas and dreams, or in th4e waning phase, the energy settles us down into whatever has taken place.

The Half moon - we're either building excitement and energy, or decreasing our energy, and the full energy of the moon has people and animals doing all sorts of energetic things at times, especially in the summer months!

Then the moon starts to get tired and the energy wanes and calms again. Everything passes. It's another phase we all go through.

Saturday, November 4, 2017

Tried to make a Boxtroll Snatcher! If I had put the least stretch across the face instead of the greatest stretch, I may have achieved a longer more gaunt face. Instead I ended up with this grimacing one!

Not to worry! It's still a humpback character. I used a t-shirt fabric to make it, cutting and dying thin strips for the lank hair.

I made the had from denim, and painted it. The coat was a piece of heavy weight t-shirting. I constructed the boots from a thick fabric to make them stable, and covered them with Mod Podge and painted them, so he stands alone.

I used him as a demo at the workshop on Just heads, when talking about making a character.

Sunday, September 24, 2017

Tilly's Two-cylinder Time Machine! All complete! Serious recycling! Using a blown-up stove element for the base, and two different size tin cans, old tomato sauce bottle, pen drive gear stick (hybrid Gel of course!) Defunct LED torch - could work with new batteries, a compass - for direction, and she's off!

Body from a Jill Maas design, and head secured by a skewer through a wine bottle cork holder and supported by a spring - from the stove element, this mixed media miss is travelling across time - from old to new! Tilly has no idea where time will take her, She keeps moving forward because she doesn't want top go back, but there are lots of times she stays in the present moment for a sense of peace!

Thursday, August 10, 2017

#One-on-one, two day workshop, working on Needle-sculpting and colouring heads! The best time!

We did one each in a step-by-step fashion. Barb was so happy with what she had learned,the first day, she did homework in the comfort of her campervan!

Barb bought the rag doll she had made for her granddaughter who was born with cleft palate, and is now wearing braces, so she shared a picture of the doll when new, then after many years of play.

Barb wanted to update it as her granddaughter is older now, and with the techniques she had learned during the first day, completely made over the face of the rag doll, which is so beautiful, it's unrecognisable!

This is the doll when new, several years ago.

And now, transformed with the newly acquired techniques for needle-sculpting and colouring!

This is what she learned from. We did one each.

And then these!

I am so delighted with her quick progress and natural talent! She is going home enthusiastic, more enlightened and not afraid to risk doing faces! What a buzz!

I am not always able to travel to other locations, and some people find it hard to learn in a group, so if anyone would like to book some paid one-on-one time with me in my studio, here in Oamaru, please message me to arrange it! I am not able to accommodate anyone here, but Oamaru is a great place with plenty of other accommodation. I certainly enjoy the experience and try to make it worthwhile.

Saturday, August 5, 2017

I was commissioned to make Harley Quinn, whom I had never heard of until my daughter was gifted the 'Bat'! So I investigated, and thought it might be a good challenge.

Needlesculpting and painting the face came together quite quickly, using a head pattern I had designed for Marie Antoinette. Just a few adjustments to the facial sculpt, but I neglected to put in the smirk, because it was just a trial head. I was pleased with how it coloured up, after all, it's just like theatrical makeup! The Hair, on the other hand, was a mission! The old acrylic wig I used was curved, and I would have done better with straight, possibly! Never mind, I managed to get some semblance of style. After all it doesn't have to be exact and everyone will have a different interpretation! It's a trial!

I had forgotten about the hair colour, until I showed it to my family, who reminded me! Easy!

A newly designed body was required for this. One with a higher full bust and smaller hips. Okay! I could have needle-sculpted the body, but chose not to, because she would be clothed.

The legs! I was amazed how much art work went into doing these legs, because the boots are first drawn, then painted in two colours, then Mod Podged, then stitches painted on, then laces threaded through! After that, turn upside down and draw on the tattoos!

Here she is just finished, but with her head sitting on a skewer!

The Bat came together quite well too and was another piece of art! Made from the same fabric, stuffed and ends stitched in. draw in the lettering, sealed with matt Modpodge, Lettering recoloured and defined, and then the handle wrapped. Resealed in Mod Podge Lustre!

Even the t-shirt had to be hand painted, but that was fun! The belt is all fabric, with a few unseen studs. Might have to make a more glitzy one for the pattern. Yes, there will be a pattern for this art doll!

Finally finished Harley Quinn, anchoring the bat, adding the glitz to the belt and making the holster to carry the gun!

Saturday, May 20, 2017

Life givers us so many challenges that we have to face, and sometimes it stalls the creative flow with other things needing to be done - appointments & driving time, caring & listening time, cooking & cleaning time - getting older, can all be challenges in themselves. When there is a lull, I want a challenge of a different kind to kickstart my creativity and journey to peace and wholeness!

I found a head I had made ages ago, that has been picked up and rejected as not suiting a project I had in mind, but couldn't get going on. Bits of the whole thing are lying around - a leg here an arm there and an unspeakable body! The head I had even used as a cushion to demonstrate a needle felting technique to someone! Bits of fluff were embedded in it and it looked used and abused - not in it's pristine condition as this first pic.

Late last night I picked it up as I had the urge to make a face. I started needle sculpting - wish I had thought to take pics then! I was trying for an open mouth - it looked ghastly - I undid it, and re-sculpted the mouth. When I did the eyes, I though this is not going to work - but I stitched on regardless -trying for laughing eyes.

When I started colouring it, I thought I'd ruined it completely and it took a wee while to get the eyes right. The addition of freckles distracted from other marks I had made on the face and eyelashes set it off!

Prior to this, I had been watching Anne of Green Gables and was surprised at the look of this face - how it had turned out! (Because I never have a preconceived idea!)

I decided Tow hair was needed to set it off, so made some wefts. The straw hat with flowers made it quite a different head to the one I was challenged with last night! Might have to think of a body now!

So from nothing much, to something with potential! Is that like lifes challenges?